2021

The health, safety and wellbeing of the people of Europe are, and will always be, the EU’s primary concern. But the COVID-19 pandemic has created a large and sustained challenge to that goal.

Outbreaks have occurred in all 27 member states, which have had to impose restrictions on movement and social interaction, slowing down national economies.

The Council is where governments decide together on EU policy and express their shared views. Throughout 2021, efforts to reduce infection and mitigate the wider effects of the pandemic have been central to the Council’s work.

Vaccine approvals

As soon as vaccines were developed and approved, the EU worked to ensure the widest possible distribution.

Between December 2020 and March 2021, the EU authorised the use of four vaccines.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention Control estimates that 470 000 lives have been saved across the European region.

Vaccine rollouts

Vaccination in the EU began on 27 December 2020. 

The vaccine programme presented huge logistical challenges, but the EU helped overcome these. Thanks to the EU vaccines strategy, vaccines were made available early and distributed equally amongst EU countries.

This allowed for the EU to have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world: by October 2021, three out of four adults across member states were fully vaccinated and booster shot campaigns have already started.

The EU also worked to counter false stories and conspiracy theories spreading on social media and elsewhere about the effects of the vaccines.

Going into 2022, it continues to monitor the situation across EU countries, coordinating joint strategies and providing expert reports on mutations and fresh outbreaks.

Keeping Europe moving

Travel was one of the sectors most disrupted by the pandemic, as social distancing was imposed and local and international movements were restricted.

The EU has assisted national governments in keeping things open. Every Thursday the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control produces a COVID-19 risk map to support safe travel, using colour coding - green, orange, red and dark red - to indicate which areas pose the greatest risk.

And, since 1 July, the EU’s digital COVID certificate, available in digital and paper formats, has made travel across member countries easier.

It provides proof of vaccination and/or negative test results and/or recovery from the virus. The certificate is valid in all EU countries and is recognised also by 28 non-EU countries and territories to date.

International cooperation

In February, EU leaders agreed to work on an international treaty on pandemics, which was first proposed by Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Dr Tedros, Director General of the WHO.

This would reinforce preparedness for emergencies, learning the lessons of COVID.

In December, the 194 members of the WHO agreed to work together and launched the process to draft and negotiate a new international agreement on prevention, preparedness and response to pandemics.

Vaccine donations

The EU is supporting poorer parts of the world in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2020 and 2021, member states and financial institutions - operating together as Team Europe - have pumped more than €46 billion into this.

The EU has pledged to give at least 700 million COVID vaccine doses to countries in need by the middle of 2022. 

Team Europe is the major donor to the international COVAX programme, which Unicef has called the “largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history”.

The EU is also one of the biggest exporters of COVID-19 vaccines, with more than 1.3 billion doses exported so far.

Solidarity

EU countries work best together, especially when dealing with emergencies like COVID-19.

With that in mind, the EU civil protection mechanism - to improve the coordinated response to threats - has had its budget increased to €3.3 billion for the 2021-2027 period.

An additional medical reserve and distribution mechanism, rescEU, has also been set up to provide assistance in situations where overall existing capacities are insufficient. As a result of this, the EU will be better prepared for future crises.

For example, when Romania and Latvia experienced a really high peak of COVID-19 infections and high pressure on their healthcare system in October 2021, they received ventilators, medical monitors, COVID-19 medicines and personal protection items from other member states. Latvia also received more than 200 000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Helping nations get over the pandemic

Lockdowns and closures of activity for entire economic sectors caused by COVID-19 posed huge challenges to the economies of all EU member states.

The EU took swift action in 2020 to mitigate the damage and plan for future prosperity and, in 2021, it went further.

The Council agreed in February to set up the Recovery and Resilience Facility, providing €672.5 billion for grants and loans for member states, after they agree on national recovery plans. The facility is at the heart of a €750 billion recovery effort.

Over the course of the year, most EU member states' recovery and resilience plans were adopted, allowing them to start implementing reforms and investments to boost their economies.

Looking to the long term, the facility focuses on funding for green and digital projects.

Blue cards

It is important that the EU’s changing labour needs are met, while migration is monitored and regulated.

In October, the Council adopted new rules to attract and retain highly qualified workers, particularly in sectors facing shortages.

The blue card scheme harmonises entry requirements for highly qualified third-country nationals, makes mobility within the EU easier and helps families stay together.

Employers also benefit from less paperwork and improved access to a wider labour market.  

A more social Europe

A strong social Europe is about people and their well-being, as highlighted in the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

In light of the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, EU leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to a social Europe during the Porto Social Summit in May 2021.

In Porto, EU leaders endorsed three main targets to improve employment, education and skills, and fight poverty and social exclusion. By 2030, 78% of the population aged 20-64 should be in employment, 60% of adults should be participating in training every year and there should be 15 million less people at risk of poverty or social exclusion (including 5 million children).

In June, the Council agreed on a European Child Guarantee, which aims to protect vulnerable children from poverty and social exclusion.

In December, the Council agreed its position on an EU framework for minimum wages and on an EU law on pay transparency.

 COP26

The COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in October and November saw significant progress, including:

• The launch of a global pledge to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, first proposed by the EU and US
• The finalisation of the rulebook, on lowering carbon emissions and sticking to commitments, started at the Paris climate summit of 2015
• More funds for developing countries to tackle climate change

But the world still has much to do to limit the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The EU plays a key part in this, by helping developing countries finance their actions aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with climate change impacts. In 2020 alone, more than €23 billion was committed in climate finance and the EU and its member states are determined to continue scaling up their assistance towards the developed countries' collective goal of USD 100 billion per year, applicable through to 2025. 

 A more sustainable EU agriculture

In December, the Council  approved a new law reforming the way EU farming works.

The new Common Agricultural Policy seeks to make EU agriculture more sustainable, as well as fairer and more performance-oriented. 40% of the policy budget is committed to green objectives.

The new policy also provides more help for smaller farmers and encourages young people into a profession that is vital for all.

Delivering on the green and digital transitions

The EU is set to become a carbon neutral economy by 2050, a transformation which is underpinned by the green and digital transitions. These so-called 'twin transitions' go hand in hand and in 2021, the Council took key steps to deliver on this ambition.

The 'Fit for 55' package is at the centre of the transformation, and in 2021 the Council started its work on the new package measures to  reduce the EU’s carbon footprint and bolster the use of greener models in all sectors, like energy, transport and buildings.

Work will continue during the French presidency with the goal of adopting new climate-friendly legislation in order to reach the 2030 goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990. 

During the year, the Council also advanced the digital agenda and made progress on several key files aimed at creating a safe, open, and competitive digital space for EU citizens and businesses in full respect of EU values and fundamental rights.

Starting in March, the Council adopted the EU Digital Europe Programme - with a budget of €7 588 million, the programme will provide funding for cutting-edge technology in artificial intelligence, supercomputing and cybersecurity for the period 2021-2027. 

In November, the Council also agreed a common position for new rules to better regulate big tech companies and protect citizens' rights online with the digital services act and the digital markets act.

In addition, a provisional deal was struck by the Slovenian presidency with the European Parliament also on extending free roaming in the EU which, once approved, will allow people to continue roaming across the EU at no extra charge until 2032.

The EU is a major player on the world stage, protecting the interests of 450 million Europeans, and the biggest single market.

It continues to advocate for human rights, international cooperation, multilateralism, and free and fair trade.  

The United States

EU leaders met US President Joe Biden at a summit in Brussels in June and during a video conference of European Council members in March.

Ahead of this, Mr Biden promised: “We will focus on ensuring that market democracies, not China or anyone else, write the 21st-century rules around trade and technology. And we will continue to pursue the goal of a Europe whole, free and at peace.”

The EU is equally keen to renew and strengthen the transatlantic partnership.

The summit - the first such EU-US event since 2014 - set a joint agenda for cooperation after the pandemic. Several trade initiatives were agreed, including: 

• Setting up a joint Trade and Technology Council
• Resolving differences around measures relating to steel and aluminium
• Discussions to resolve disputes over aircraft subsidies

Afghanistan 

The overthrow of a constitutionally based government by the Taliban endangered the civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of the Afghani people, as well as the progress made by Afghanistan over the last two decades.

The situation in Afghanistan is a major challenge for the international community as a whole.

In order to support the Afghan population and to pursue EU objectives, the Council agreed on the need for strong coordination in engaging with relevant international partners on Afghanistan. The UN remains an indispensable partner and a key actor on the ground.

In September the Council agreed on the following benchmarks for possible engagement with the Taliban appointed caretaker cabinet:

• Afghanistan must not serve as a host or exporter of terrorism
• human rights, including those of women and girls, must be promoted, protected and respected
• an inclusive and representative Afghan government must be set up through negotiations
• humanitarian aid must be given free access and be allowed to work
• the Taliban must allow foreign and Afghan nationals who are at risk to leave

None of this confers any legitimacy on the Taliban’s caretaker government.

Western Balkans

The stability and prosperity of this region neighbouring the EU is vital. 

So the EU put together an unprecedented €30 billion investment package to aid recovery from COVID, improve connectivity and accelerate the move towards greener and more digital economies.

At the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brdo, Slovenia, in October, EU leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region. 

But they also stressed that the enlargement process would have to be based on credible reforms by partners and the EU’s capacity to integrate new members.

Belarus

The EU has strongly and repeatedly condemned the actions of the Belarus regime, including human rights abuses and the crackdown on opposition voices which followed the August 2020 presidential elections.

The EU does not recognise the results of the elections, considering them neither free, nor fair. Since October 2020, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Belarus.

On 2 December 2021, the Council adopted the fifth package of sanctions over continued human rights abuses and the instrumentalisation of migrants at the EU's borders with Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

The EU reacted quickly targeting prominent members of the judicial branch and propaganda outlets that contribute to the continued repression of civil society, democratic opposition, independent media outlets and journalists, and high-ranking political officials and companies that have helped incite and organise illegal border crossing for political purposes.

Earlier this year, in May, a Ryanair plane was forced to land in Belarus’ capital, Minsk. The European Council strongly condemned the forced landing, endangering aviation safety, as well as the detention by Belarusian authorities of journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega. The events were followed  by new Council sanctions  against the Lukashenko regime.

A total of 183  individuals and 26 entities are now under EU sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes. The Council also decided to ban Belarusian carriers from using EU airspace.

Ukraine

In December 2021, EU leaders stressed the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its borders with Ukraine and aggressive rhetoric. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned that any further military aggressions against Ukraine will have massive consequences and costs in response, including sanctions coordinated with partners.

In line with its unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, in 2021 the EU has repeatedly extended and prolonged sanctions against those responsible for undermining it. The existing measures include travel bans and asset freezes that apply to 185 persons and 48 entities. 

At a summit in Kyiv in October, the EU and Ukraine vowed to establish stronger political ties and deepen economic cooperation. This covered areas such as the integration of Ukraine's energy markets and energy systems with the EU’s energy market and continued gas transit via Ukraine beyond 2024.  

In addition, they agreed to set up a Common Aviation Area for passenger and cargo flights, further integrating Ukraine with EU rules and safety standards and creating new commercial opportunities for Ukrainian and EU member state airlines.

Stopping terrorism

Terror continues to pose a threat to the safety and values championed by EU countries, including the freedoms of movement, belief and expression. 

To counter terrorist propaganda and prevent radicalisation, in April the Council adopted a new regulation on terrorist content online.

Under the new rules, from June 2022 national authorities in member states will have the power to issue removal orders to service providers across the EU, requiring them to remove terrorist content or disable access to it within one hour.

“What is not allowed in real life should also be illegal online” is the Council’s guiding principle for digitalisation.